Paris Awakens
This film concludes the informal "trilogy of youth", which also includes Bezład and Winterkind. Louise (Judith Godrèche), a twenty-year-old dreaming of acting success, lives with a much older partner, Clément (Assayas wanted to create a role that would conflict with the current image of Jean-Pierre Léaud). Their difficult relationship is complicated by the appearance of Adrien (Thomas Langmann), the nineteen-year-old son of Clément. Well, we all know that youthfulness in Olivier Assayas always means trouble. Paris Awakens concentrates on interiors, because the director is interested in the architecture of space and the architecture of emotions. As well as the changes that take place both in the real and the emotional landscape. Louise is searching for stability as she circles between Clément's apartment and the squat where she lives with her new lover. Somewhere between the ambitions and opportunities that are determined by successive castings and visits to her dealer. The rhythm of these journeys through youth, which are based on creating new paths for one's own life, is determined by the minimalist music of John Cale.
Olivier Assayas
Born in Paris in 1955, Olivier Assayas is the son of screenwriter Jacques Rémy (whose real name was Raymond Assayas). It was at his father’s side that Olivier took his first steps in the industry while still a teenager. He began making his first short amateur films a little while later. At the same time, he launched his career as a film critic, writing for the famous Cahiers du cinéma. He made his full-length debut with Disorder in 1986. Since then, he has made a number of films that have ensured him a position as one of the most important directors in European cinema. His most acclaimed works include Irma Vep, Something in the Air (an award winner for best screenplay at the Venice Festival) and Clouds of Sils Maria.
Selected filmography
1986 Bezład / Désordre / Disorder
1989 Zimowe dziecko / L’enfant de l’hiver / Winter’s Child
1991 Paryż się budzi / Paris s’éveille / Paris Awakens
1993 Nowe życie / Une nouvelle vie / A New Life
1994 Zimna woda / L’eau froide / Cold Water
1996 Irma Vep
1998 Koniec sierpnia, początek września / Fin août, début septembre / Late August, Early September
2000 Ścieżki uczuć / Les destinées sentimentales / Sentimental Destinies
2002 Demonlover
2004 Czysta / Clean
2007 Przejście / Boarding Gate
2008 Pewnego lata / L’heure d’été / Summer Hours
2010 Carlos (TV series)
2012 Po maju / Après mai / Something in the Air
2014 Sils Maria / Clouds of Sils Maria
2016 Personal Shopper
2018 Podwójne życie / Doubles vies / Non-Fiction